Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Dean, the Area Coordinator, First Year Residential Experience serves as an integral part of the Student Development team and provides comprehensive oversight of their assigned residence halls with a specific focus on supporting and guiding first-year students during their initial transition into campus life.  The person in this position serves as an educator and resource to challenge and support student growth and development, increasing student retention while developing cultural competencies. The Area Coordinator, First Year Residential Experience will assist in leading all co-curricular aspects of their assigned residence halls, including assisting coordinating academic services within the residence halls, and departmental assessment related to academic initiatives.

This staff member will oversee all first-year residential communities, supervise associated Resident Assistants (RAs), and serve as a resource for the First Year Experience Mentors (FYE Mentors). This is a full-time, 12-month, live-in, benefits-eligible position with on-call responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Student and Residence Hall Community

• Oversee residence halls primarily serving first-year student populations
• Supervise/co-supervise and evaluate paraprofessional student staff (RAs and FYE Mentors)
• Work closely with Resident Assistants, FYE Mentors, Student Development staff members, and students in the residence halls to advise students regarding personal, social, or academic matters and make appropriate referrals when necessary
• Mediate roommate and interpersonal conflicts and encourage productive dialogue
• Foster an environment conducive to academic and personal growth though effective interpretation and consistent enforcement of all College and Residential Life policies
• Serve as a conduct hearing officer for potential violations of the Student Code of Conduct
• Coordinate efforts to educate the residential community on issues related to safety, security, and residence hall community damage or vandalism

First Year Experience and Orientation

• Develop, implement, and coordinate First Year Residential Experience model to guide programming and community development efforts in first year residential communities. Lead training and oversight of student staff understanding and compliance with this model
• Partner with the Office of Student Involvement (OSI) and the Associate Dean of Students to assist with the planning and implementation of New Student Orientation program(s) for all incoming first year students
• Work closely with partners in Student Success to address the specific needs of new students who belong to traditionally marginalized communities (first-generation students, students of color, LGBTQ+ students, etc.)
• Collaborate with key offices and student organizations on campus to support first year students’ transition to campus life and overall first year experience through planning social and educational programs that align with the goals of the First Year Experience. These offices may include:
  • Office of Student Activities (OSA), Office of Intercultural Student Life (IC), Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, Athletics, Center for International Programs (CIP), Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD), Center for Civic Engagement (CCE), Student Health Center, Counseling Services, Campus Dining, Kalamazoo College Council of Student Representatives (KCCSR)
• Monitor, reconcile, forecast, and strategically plan for the spending of the FYRE programming budget
• Collaborate with the OSI to inventory and stock student resource room at regular intervals
• Develop a programming report at the end of each academic term highlighting community development efforts in the residence halls to be shared with Student Development senior staff

Administrative and Departmental

• Administration of residence hall(s) including daily supervision, training, and development of student staff
• Conduct regular appraisals and effective documentation of all aspects of the residence halls and student staff
• Coordinate regular and continual staff development sessions for student staff
• Responsible for opening, closing, and securing of the residence hall at start and end of each academic term
• Collaborate with Facilities Management to respond to and address maintenance issues and emergencies including record keeping and billing of community damage/vandalism in the residence halls
• Submit damage billing and closing charges to Student Accounts and address inquiries related to them
• Maintain an active and visible presence in both the residence halls and central office
• Respond to concerns from students, parents, and other members of the College community
• Attend all Residential Life professional staff meetings, seminars, and training sessions
• Participate in 24/7 on-call rotation with other Residential Life professional staff, responding appropriately to inquiries from student staff and providing crisis intervention and support
• Serve as a representative of the Division of Student Development and the Office of Residential Life, participate in regular division-wide meetings, and serve on committees as assigned, selected, or appointed
• Work in conjunction with Student Development offices to ensure coordination and communication of information and programs
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement including revising policies, identifying operational efficiencies, and benchmarking best practices
• Carry out other duties and special projects as assigned by the Associate Dean

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree and will also demonstrate many of the following skills, abilities, and characteristics:

• Available to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends
• Excellent administrative, organizational, and time management skills and the capacity to balance multiple priorities
• Knowledge of the principles of social justice and dedication to creating inclusive communities for a diverse student body
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills
• Capability of providing crisis intervention and navigating stressful and emotional situations
• Willingness to live on campus and work a flexible schedule as needs and responsibilities dictate
• Ability to travel between various buildings on a residential campus
• A master’s degree in higher education/student affairs or a related field ^preferred
• Experience in residential life and/or new student programming/orientation ^preferred
• Knowledge of a selective, private, residential liberal arts college ^preferred

Remuneration and Benefits

• Annual salary paid monthly and commensurate with education and experience
• Furnished apartment with washer/dryer, dishwasher, air conditioning, internet, and utilities included
• Partial meal plan while Dining Services is in operation
• Professional development funding available contingent upon departmental budget
• Reserved parking space adjacent to the apartment at no cost

About Kalamazoo College

Kalamazoo College is a highly selective nationally regarded liberal arts college, offering an integrated undergraduate experience that weaves a traditional liberal arts curriculum into educational experiences in both domestic and international settings with the majority of our graduates participating in study abroad. Kalamazoo College is committed to the liberal arts and sciences, experiential education, freedom of individual conscience and celebration of diversity and inclusion. It is one of the nation’s 100 oldest colleges and universities and a thought leader and innovator in higher education.

The campus of Kalamazoo College is located midway between Chicago and Detroit in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a metropolitan community of 261,000, which supports multiple college and university campuses along with numerous civic arts and cultural associations and sports teams. Thirty-five miles from Lake Michigan, the area offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation, a walkable downtown, outstanding restaurants, and plenty of family-friendly activities.

Kalamazoo College encourages candidates who will contribute to the cultural diversity of the College to apply and to identify themselves if they wish. An equal opportunity employer, Kalamazoo College is committed to equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal protection under the law. Please be invited to review our full EEO statement by visiting https://www.kzoo.edu/about/nondiscrimination-policy/. Kalamazoo College is an E-Verify participating employer. Please select Notice and Rights for more information.